Selective punching and dispensing mechanism



Jan. 1, 1952 V. A. TURNER ET'AL SELECTIVE PUNCHING AND DISPEN'SING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 12, 1949 Jan. l, 1952 v. A. TURNER ET AL SELECTIVE PuNcHING AND DISPENSING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 12, 1949 VW l 9' Tran/ Jan- 1, 1952 v. A. TURNER ETAL 2,581,221

I SELECTIVE PUNCHVING ND DISPESING MECHNISM Filed Feb. 12, 1949 l:s Smets-sheet s O O l\- y i i R16 Patented `1an. 1, 1952 oFFlcE i SELECTIVE PUN CHIN G AND DISPEN SING MECHANISM Virgil A. Turner, Blair S. Alden, and Frank S. Alden, Anna, Ill.

Application February 12, 1949, Serial No. 75,994

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved selective punching and dispensing mechanism.

Numerous types of punches and dispensers have been made and used for many years. In a manufacturing operation it is often necessary to place material to be punched between the operator and the punching tool making it difcult if not impossible to know the position of the punching tool and thus also know where the material will be punched. Further, in coin operated dispensers of small pellets such as medicinal capsules or the like it has been a problem to select the desired pellet and then have it discharged merely upon the insertion of a coin.

It is therefore a principal object of this apparatus to. provide a punching tool having a beam or ray extending in a path in alignment with the center line or longitudinal axis of the punching tool to thereby indicate the position of the punching tool.

An important object of this invention is the provision of means associated with a punch to make known the geographical position of the punch.

Another important object of this invention is to provide means in a dispensing mechanism for selecting by visible indicating means any one of numerous objects or articles to be dispensed.

Another important object of this invention is to supply means for selectively punching portions of a light transmitting material.

Another and further important object of this invention is the provision of a punching tool having an integral source of light therein and means for conning and directing the beam formed thereby in alignment with the longitudinal axis or line of movement of the punching tool.

Still another object of this invention is to provide means in a combination dispensing and punching apparatus for shiftably moving the punching device with respect to the articles to be dispensed and thereby selectively dispensing any one of the desiredl articles.

Another and still further important object of y this invention is to provide an enclosed dispenser of small articles having means for selecting one of the articles and thereafter discharging the selected article to a position of access outside the enclosed dispenser.

A still further important object of this invention is the supplying of automatic indexing means for a punching tool with reference to both horizontal and vertical directions in an article dispensing machine.

Still another object of this invention is to provide electrical solenoid punch projecting means in combination with a dispensing mechanism.

Other and further important objects of this invention will become apparent from the disclosures in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the dispensing mechanism of this invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the device of Fig. 1 with the front door and magazines thereof removed.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.A

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the device as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line '1 -'I of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the punching element of this invention.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral IU indicatesV generally a housing or supporting structure employed to carry and enclose the dispensing elements of this invention. The enclosure ID includes a box-like portion of side walls II and I2; a rear wall I3, a top I4 and a bottom I5. A door IS is hingedly mounted by hinge means I'i and I8 on the side wall II, and constitutes the front wall of the boxlike enclosure I0. Suitable lock or latch means may be employed to hold the door I6 in closed position with respect to the housing I0.

As explained above, one of the more important objects of this invention is the provision of means for dispensing by selection any one of numerous articles that may be placed in a board or the like. This board is shown at I9 Yand includes a plurality of regularly spaced openings 20 extending through the board from the front to the back thereof. The board I9 is removably mounted within the supporting structure I0 between vertically disposed frame members 2| and 22. Many small items or articles for sale may be placed within the apertures or holes 20 in the board I 9, and dispensed by the mechanism of this invention. Further, as mentioned above, the articles dispensed may be such as medicinal capsules of various types and may be positioned over the board in any manner desired. The dispenser is designed for self use and thus does not require the presence of an attendant or store clerk. As shown in Figures l, 3 and 4 the replaceable and/or reiillable board i9 is visible through a transparent Window or the like 23 in the front door I6. The door i6 is further provided with a slot 24, extending across the front of the door beneath the windowv 23 and extending through to the inside of the housing IB. A tray 25 is placed within the transversely disposed slot 24 and arranged to receive articles dispensed by the mechanism for placing the article seleeted'within reach of the user. As shown in Fig. 3, the board I9 is further provided with upper and lower frame members 23 and 21, respectivelyfor forming a complete peripheral frame therefor to give adequate support to the removable board I9.

As best shown in Fig. 2, shaft means 23 and 2S are disposed across the housing and between the side walls Il and I2 adjacent the top I4 and bottom l respectively. 'Ihese'islriaft means 28 and 29 are parallel one to the other, and are widely spaced apart. Each'shaft means 28 andv 29 comprises horizontally spaced Vshaft members 28a and 28h, and 29a and 2923 respectively.

The cross shaft members form tracks for lateral shifting of a vertically disposed shaft member 30. As best shown in Figs.` 2, 6 and"1,fthe vertical shaft member 3Q is j'ournaied for rotation in a carrier member 3l at'the bottom of the housing 'I0 and in a carrier 32 adjacentthe top of the housing. Each of the carriers 3| and 32 is provided with spaced, horizontally disposed apertures arranged in the saine spaced apart position as the shaft members 29a and 29h, and 2go' and 28h respectively, whereby the carriers 3l and 32 may slide transversely alongand over the shaft members 28 and 29. As shown in Figs 2 and 3, the shaft 30 continues upwardly beyond the carrier 32 and extends out through the top I4 of the housing lll through an aperture 33 provided therefor. A knob 34 is fastened to the shaft 39 and is adapted to provide a hand engaging means for effecting rotation of this vertically/'disposed shaft 30; The shaft 35 as shown in Fig.A 2 is provided with a spiral or helical groove 35. A channel member 36, as shown in Fig. ir h as its U- member enclosing the vertically disposed shaft 30. 'The channel 36 extends between thecarrier members 3l and 32, and is fixed at'its ends to each of these carrier members. For convenience in describing this device, the'shaft 30 and its surrounding channel 3B will be termedthe vertical structure adapted for transversely sliding movement within the housing l0.

A block member 31 is adapted to be carried by the vertical structure, and is movable vertically on the spirally grooved shaft 30 by reason of a sleeve portion 38 having an inwardly extending spiral rib coincident with'the spiral groove in the shaft 30. This sleeve 38 is xed to the block 31, and thus the two elements move together. "It will thus be seen that as the shaft 30- is rotated, the block 3l and the sleeve 33` with its, inwardly extending rib 3S engaging the spiral groove 35 will move' either up or down on the s haftit':V The upper and lower yends of the block'3f1v are pr'ovided with enlarged annular flange members, 4 3 v and 4,1 respectively. An outer sleeve or the like 42. is carried intermediate the ends of the block 3.1. Spring members 43fand` 440i substantially equaly strength are disposed between the sleeve 42 and 'the' topange 413 and between the sleeve and thebottom iiange 4I, respectively, to maintain the sleeve 42 centered between the ends of the block 31.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 8 the sleeve 42 is provided at its forward portion with a transversely disposed hole or opening 45. This hole 45 receives the shank end 48 of an indexing element 41. The rod portion 4 3 is positioned within the opening 45 for lateral sliding movement. A spring 48 is located within the slot 45 behind the shank 46 and urges the indexing member 41 outwardly in a lateral direction from the sleeve 42,.` The carriers 3| and 32 additionally support an index rack 49 as best shown in Figure 2 which isL .ecuiipp ,ecly with a plurality of notches 50 on one vertical face thereof. The notched rack 49 is amxed to the carrier members 3| and 32 so that the rack moves as a unit with the vertical structure as it is slid transversely along the cross shaft members 23 and 29. The indexing member 41 has a ball like end 5| engaging the roundedy notches 50. The spring 48 urging the indexing member 41 outwardly insures contact of the indexing member with the rack 449,

It will be evident from Fig. 4 of the drawings that the block 31 may not rotate with the shaft 36 for the reason that it closely surrounds the rectangularly shaped non-rotatable channel 3B, Rotation of the knob 34 will cause a raising or lowering of the block 31 and thus also the sleeve 42. However, the sleeve with its indexing means will have a tendency to delay immediate movement by reason of the ball end v5l engaging the notches 5B in the indexing rack. In operation the block 31 moves upwardly or downwardly and one or the other ofv the springs 43 or 44 will be compressed. Thus for example if the block 31- is movedl upwardly by rotation of the knob 34 the lower spring 4 4 will be compressed until it reaches a certain predetermined compression whereupon it overcomes the holding by the indexing means and the sleeve 42 will follow upward movement of the block 31 in a sort of jumping action. This jumping action makes certain that the sleeve 42 will lie ina plane 0ppositeone of the notches 5U in the indexing rack 49.

As best shown in Fig. 2 a similar indexing rack 5|' isv provided across the top of the supporting structure I3 and further hasa, series off-notches 52 on the underside thereof. The carrier 32 for theY upper end lof the vertical structure is equipped with a spring held vindexing member 53 adapted with a ball like end 54 `for engagemeni,

ith the notches 52 in a manner very similar to the engagement of the ball end 5| of the indexing member 41 with the notches 5B in the vertically disposed indexing rack 4,9. l Ilifhe indexing member 53 is disposed vertically ina vertical opening or slot 55 within thecarrier 32. A spring 55 is positioned beneath the indexing member 53 within, theopening `55 and urges it upwardly. Thus in moving the vertical structure laterally by amovement o f the knob 34 within and along the elongated slot 373: in the top of the supporting structure or enclosure I as bestshown in Figure lthe vertical structulf.e.V Will come to rest in a position in algnmentwith one of the notches 52.

The dispensing board I9 with its, many aperturesv20 ispreferably made in: suchV a'marmer .that the aperturesv are disposed in horizontal and vertical lines and. spaced similarly tothe notches 5E! in the vertical :indexing rack 49 and with the notches 52 in the horizontal index ing rack 5l. By reason of'thisv construction itis assured that'the'mea'ns for dispensing 'the 'contents of each aperture may be made certain. As shown in Figs. `2 and 4 the punching or dispensing element and its projecting means is fastened to the sleeve 42 which as previously explained is spring mounted on the block 3I and is maintained in alignment with one ofthe indexing notches 59. The entire punching element unit will be designated by the numeral 51. The outer shell like portion 58 constitutesan electrical solenoid within which is carried a piston like Vmember 59 acting as the movable member of the solenoid. This internally positioned piston 59 is shown in detail in Fig. 9. The forwardly disposed end 90 is tubular in shape and is of sufliciently small diameter to pass through the apertures 28 in the board I9 for forcing out the articles to be dispensed. The piston 59 is shown in its innermost position with respect to the dispensing board I9 and it will be understood that upon supplying the solenoid 58 with electrical energy the piston 59 will be moved suddenly forwardly causing the forward or punch end to move through the aperture 28 behind which it is positioned. The central portion of the piston 59 is designated by the numeral 6I and provides a socket 92 for an electrical lamp or bulb 63 having a screw threaded base 64 engaging the socket 62. The bulb 83 is positioned within the tubular punching end 66 of the piston 59. The central portion 6I is of considerably greater diameter than the end 60 and thus easily houses the bulb 63. The cone shape of the piston at the portion 65 immediately adjacent the bulb 63 connes and directs the beam or ray from the bulb to and through the end 60 of .the piston element 59. As shown in Figure 9 the piston 59 is also provided with a rearwardly extending tubular portion 86 forminga continuation of the enlarged central portion 6I. Electrical conducting wires 61 and 68 are carried through the hollow end of the portion 66 and join with the socket 62 at 99 and I9 to thus carry electricity to light the bulb 63.

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 a spring 'II surrounds the rearward end portion 69 vof the piston 59 and is anchored at spaced points at I2 on the solenoid 58 and at I3 on the piston 59. This spring 'II normally urges the piston 59 rearwardly in the solenoid or jacket 5B. It will thus be seen that after the solenoid has been energized and the punching element 59-60 moved suddenly forwardly, the spring 1I will then cause the piston 59 to resume its normal rearward position.

As best shown in Fig. 3 an electrical attaching member 'I4 is adapted to engage a source of electro-motive-force and conduct electrical current and energy'through the wires 61 and 68 for lighting the bulb 63. In addition a second electrical circuit is provided through the electrical connecting element I4 through parallel wiring means I5 and 1E. The wire 'I5 runs to a switch element TI, and the wire 'I6 extends to the solenoid 58. The switch member TI is provided with a connecting wire 'I8 which joins with the electrical solenoid 58. Thus when the switch means TI is closed the solenoid 58 will be electrically energized and the punching element 59-60 moved forwardly.

The switching element TI is composed of a pair of Contact members 19 and 80. When these contact points 'I9 and 80 are brought together the electrical circuit to the solenoid 58 is completed thus causing the piston to lunge forwardly moving the article in the board positioned in `front of the punch to be discharged. The device of this invention is equipped with a coin slot 8l on the top of the housing I0. The coin slot is in alignment with the contact member and as a coin is dropped through the slot 8| it moves the contact member 89 inwardly toward the contact member 'I9 making momentary contact with the element 'I9 and completing the electrical circuit as `just described. The coin inserted through the slot 8l continues its downward movement in the housing I9 to a receptacle 82 located in the bottom of the box. A door 83 having a hinge 84 at the bottom thereof and a hand engaging knob 85 at the top is for the purpose of gaining access to the receptacle 82 to effect removal of the coins therefrom. Here again suitable locking means may be used to hold the door 83 closed against the public users of this dispensing mechanism. It is obvious that a more complex coin mechanism may be employed to insure against the use of slugs or spurious coins without departing from the invention.

In the operation of this device the electrical plug means is attached to some electrical power outlet and immediately the bulb 63 within the punching element is lighted causing a ray of light toemerge from the punching element at 6I). This ray of light is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the piston 59 and further is coincident with the path of movement of the punching element 69. When the board I9 is placed within the housing I0 as` previously described the location of the punching element 60 would not ordinarily be determinable. The light 63 used within the punching element obviates this diiiiculty and indicates the position of the punching element to the operator or use!` of this dispensing mechanism. It'will be understood that the articles to be dispensed must have at least some light transmitting means and therefore when the operator of the machine desires to effect a discharge or removal of any of the elements or articles to be sold which are lodged in the apertures of the dispensing board I9 he moves the punching element to a selected position by the knob 34 on the top of the housing I0. Lateral movement of the knob within the elongated slot 33 causes corresponding lateral movement of the punch and rotation of the knob causes the punching element to move upwardly and downwardly with respect to the board as desired. As previously described the indexing means insures that the punching element will be in proper alignment with one of the many apertures 28 in the board. The user of the vending device can tell where the punching element is by reason of the light ray being visible on the front face of the board. After the user has selected the article he desires to purchase and has placed the punch in a position immediately behind that article by proper movement of the knob 34 he inserts a coin in the slot 8l causing the solenoid 58 to be momentarily energized and the punch 69 to move forwardly causing the article within the aperture 29 to be pushed forwardly out of the board I9 and thereupon to drop vertically downwardly between the board I9 and the window 23 to the receiving tray 25. The user or operator may thereupon pick the article out of the tray 25 within the transversely disposed opening 24.

We are aware that numerous detailsV of construction may be varied over a wide range without departing from the principles disclosed herein and we therefore do not propose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than ,as necesstatedby the appended claims.

What is claimed is.:

l.. A machine for selectively punching light beam transmitting portions of a board corna supporting struc-ture for removably carrying boards to be punched, a punching element, means for adjustably lposition-,ing said punching element in any desired location on said supporting structure with respect to said board to be. punched, an electric bulb mounted within said punching element, a circular electrical solenoid positioned around said punching element, spring means attached to said punching element and said supporting structure and normally urging said punching element to a retracted position, an electricalV switch, a source of electrical energy, wiring means connecting said electric bulb with said source of electrical energy, and wiring means connecting said electrical solenoid, electrical switch, and source of electrical energy in series, whereby when the electrical switch is closed the punching element with its light therein will be projected against the action of the spring means centrally within said circular electrical solenoid against said board causing discharge of a portion thereof.

2. A machine for selectively causing dispensing of light transmitting articles positioned in aboard in which the articles are arranged in horizontal and vertical lines, comprising a supporting structure for removably carrying boards of. articles, a punching element carried by said supporting structure, means for moving said puncing element in alignment with any one of the articles on said board, light beam means associated with said punching element to cause visible eiect on the face of the boardto indicate the position of the punching element, said means for moving the punching element comprises a verticallyr disposed structure arranged for horizontal sliding movement in said supporting structure, said vertically disposed structure Vincludes a stationary member and a rotatable shaft, a hand engaging means on the top of said rotatable shaft for lateral shifting of the vertically disposed structure and rotating `of the rotatable shaft. forming part thereof, said Shaft having a, spiral groove affixed thereto over `the length thereof, a non-rotatable block slidable vertically on said vertically disposed structure, said punching element carried on said block, said block having a cooperative internally spiral ribbed portion yeng-aging the spiral groove on the lshaft whereby the hand engaging means is slid :lateraliy for horizontal adjustment of the punching element. and/or rotated for vertical adjustment` of the punching element.

3. A machine as set forth in claim 2 .in which notched indexing racks are positioned both horizontal-ly and vertically in said supporting structure with the notches thereof in alignment with the horizontal and vertical lines of the articles, first releasable detent means on said vertically disposed structure for engaging the notches in the horizontal notches rack, and second releasa- .ble detent means on said block for engaging the notches in the vertical notched rack.

4. A mach-ine as s et forth in claim 3 in which yieldable spring means is provided intermediate the punching. element and the block to cushion both up. and down movements whereby indexing of the punching element. is facilitated.

VIRGIL A. TURNER. BLAIR S. ALDEN. FRANK S. ALBEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITEDl STATES PATENTS Number Name r Date 1,601,354 Elverson. Sept. 28, -1926 1,916,074 Roskin June 27, 1933 2,193,948 Thompson et al. Mar. 19, 1940 2,314,743. Walters Mar. 231943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 733,009 France of 1932 182,937 France of 1935 

